――God, Buddha, Od Lagna. I vow to never have any likes or dislikes throughout my life.

△▼△▼△▼△

――『Witch of Melancholy』 Petra Leyte.
To begin with, why did Petra end up in the position of holding the Witch Factor of 『Melancholy』?

The reason it couldn't be Clind, the original owner, was because he had a role that only he could fulfill—keeping 『Divine Dragon』 Volcanica in check. Ultimately, as long as it wasn't him, the owner could have been anyone. Of course, there were those who were more or less suited to use the Authority, and candidates like Emilia, who could be a force even without it, or Rem, who had her own unique role, were quickly ruled out. However, even excluding them, there were still plenty of candidates.
Thus, Petra being chosen as the owner of the Witch Factor over candidates like Ram or Old Man Rom was due to a reason much greater than overall combat ability.

――Simply put, Petra was the best at mastering the Authority.

"――『Sin Archbishop of Gluttony』... that guy Roy, he claims to devour indiscriminately, and his number of attacks is insane. What do we do?" "It's troublesome that he can handle close combat, mid-range, and long-range attacks." "Unfair. Like the young master." "If he's the same as Reinhard, no one can win!" "Don't shout so loudly! Grassis, don't say such reckless things. It's overwhelming." "Ha! You're all so friendly. If you already feel like you've won, could you share that feeling with Ram too?" "This girl is so sarcastic..." "But I understand the maid sister's point. What's the plan?" "We'll basically continue as is. It's true the opponent has cards to play at any range, but..." "But?" "No matter how many cards they have, they only have one head to choose them. If we keep up the wave attacks, they'll definitely make a mistake." "Even if not, the opponent's wounds are deep. If they get impatient, they'll want to forcefully change the situation. For Lord Rom, that's quite an achievement." "Heh, my Old Man Rom is amazing, right?" "Indeed, Lord Rom is reliable." "Clap clap, Lord Rom." "We're in the middle of a life-or-death battle!" "Sorry to interrupt your fun, but I have to say something to the Hungry Horse King and others, and my head feels like it's going to split!" "――Sorry!!"

And so, Petra used the Authority of 『Melancholy』 to 'compress' the content of that strategy meeting, as if they had intensely discussed it face-to-face in an instant. She layered the 'compression' of the process where everyone struggled until they came up with their best ideas.

'If I can compress travel distance and time like Clind-san did, then I can also compress thinking time and consultation time... It's a shift in perspective, typical of conceptual abilities!'

"Clind-nii-sama, always using it the same way, was too rigid."

While concentrating on the fine-tuning of the Authority's effects, Petra exchanged light banter with the semi-transparent Imaginary Subaru. It was during battle. Normally, one might want to complain about being distracted, but for Petra at this moment, this interaction with 'Subaru' was a great help.
Petra, who had the small box containing the Witch Factor of 『Melancholy』—inherited from Clind—hidden in her bosom, continued to experience the terrifying gravitational pull of this power with her soul.

"I know it's self-praise, but the expression 'gravitational pull' is just too fitting."

The feeling of being irresistibly drawn in, Petra likens it to gravity and admonishes herself. If she lets her guard down for even a second, the Witch Factor immediately tempts her with "You can do this" and "You can do that," trying to remove the important shackles of being human. Without anything to anchor her, she might just surrender to the sensation of being sucked in, as if peering over a cliff—,

"But no."

The sense of omnipotence is a sweet nectar that intoxicates people. The Witch Factor exploits such weaknesses of the human heart. Moreover, its approach is to present itself as a means to fulfill one's greatest desires, offering it up with a "How about this?" The more precious the thing, the more unyielding the wish, the harder it is to resist the temptation. Surely, even the 『Witch of Greed』 and Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti, the 『Sin Archbishop of Sloth』, were no exceptions. Petra herself doesn't know what would have happened if she didn't have a means to support her ego. But—,

"Petra! We need support for Tonchin!"

"Kan-san is resting, right? Leave it to me!"

Struck by the brave, boyish voice, Petra activates her authority—compressing the thought processes and communication of Lachins and Gaston, who were troubled on how to respond to the onslaught of filth and the attack of the blood scythe, allowing them to choose the best course of action. The two switch their responses to the approaching attacks, with Gaston using the 『Flow Method』 to block the blood scythe, and Lachins using a barrage of fireballs to fend off the filth, successfully overcoming the challenge. To this, 『Subaru』 gives a thumbs-up, and Petra responds with a thumbs-up as well.

"Good job, Petra! Keep it up! You're amazing!"

Even if it's just an illusion, the smile of her beloved fills her heart with courage. This is it. Thanks to this, Petra can surpass her limits while remaining herself. Unlike many who have been captivated by the Witch Factor throughout history, Petra is not alone. This prevents Petra from falling as the 『Witch of Melancholy』. Because—,

"I don't want Subaru to dislike me."

Laugh at that vanity if you will. Point fingers and mock Petra. If necessary, she can come up with as many pretexts as needed. This is a battle to save the world. To rescue many people living in the kingdom from anxiety. To protect the grand stage of the royal selection. She carries everyone's expectations on her shoulders. There are plenty of reasons beyond pretexts. Even Ram, who usually wants to slack off, is striving hard. Frederica, who stays behind, is praying for them. Otto always overdoes it. She really hates being manipulated according to the master's plans. She wants to show her good side to Emilia and Rem. She'll roar on Garf's behalf. Meili, don't look so worried. Beatrice, don't cry because she'll definitely save you. All of these are important reasons for Petra to try her best, but the most important is different.

The most important is you. She doesn't want to show you her uncool side. She doesn't want to show you her pathetic side. Because she never wants to let her guard down even for a second in your eyes. To make you, who are captivated by someone who always shines brightly, turn around, she must always pretend to shine brightly. If that's what it takes, then she'll do it.

She's long since been drawn in by gravity. The Witch Factor is not needed. Her entire being is made of love and romance.

"So, it's no big deal."

No matter how much the Witch Factor tempts her, Petra will never be broken. As long as she has this love, neither 『Gluttony』 nor the black serpent are frightening at all.

△▼△▼△▼△

――God, Buddha, Od Lagna. I vow never to cry for anyone in my lifetime.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△

The Aldebusters—or rather, the group that should be called the 『Witch of Melancholy』 and her apostles—far exceeded Roy's expectations and imagination.

"Nice, it might be good, it's good, isn't it, it should be good, it can only be good, because it's good, because it's praised as good! Gluttony! Voracity!"

Ultimately, Roy doesn't understand what the 『Witch of Melancholy』 is doing. However, it was clear that she was using her authority to its fullest extent, providing a path for Felt and the others, and countering the authority of 『Gluttony』.

Even in battle, Felt and the others are not achieving results beyond their capabilities. Their maximum potential is constantly being drawn out and utilized. And what makes this possible is the effect of the 『Melancholy』 authority. However—

"It's not something you can use freely as if it's that convenient."

As mentioned earlier, Roy heard from his mother about the defects of the witch factor of 『Melancholy』. The witch factor, which is incompatible with anyone, grants its owner immense power to interfere with the world's rules, but it should be a defective product that demands compensation for doing so. In other words, even the seemingly perfect adaptability of the 『Witch of Melancholy』 will eventually reach its limit. The arrival of that limit will depend on how much compensation can be paid.

"I understand, I understand, Petra-chan loves Natsuki-san, doesn't she?"

『Soul's Stomach』—tracing the latest 『memory』 stored in Roy's devoured treasure, the earnest feelings of the newly born 『Witch』 in this world are deeply felt, piercing the heart. Though young and immature, she is a child who does not hesitate to risk her life for her burning love. If told that something other than her life needs to be burned as fuel to reclaim what was taken from her, she would offer it without hesitation. And indeed, she is doing just that. However, the stock is not unlimited.

"Now, it's a matter of which will run out first."

Just as the 『Witch of Melancholy』 has limits, Roy also has a time limit on his life. He deliberately does not heal the wounds from which blood flows profusely, as he transforms even the flowing blood into armor to fulfill his purpose and uses it as a means of resistance. That massive blood loss continues to ignite the fuse of Roy Alphard's life.

Indeed, this battle is now on the line of whether to devour or be devoured.

"Haha."

Breathing hot, feverish breaths, Roy expresses gratitude for the hunger that animates his soul. Until now, Roy, as 『Voracity』, has devoured everything indiscriminately. Consuming, licking, greedily chewing, he has 『eclipsed』 many lives in search of something to fill the hunger Roy Alphard was born with. For that reason, Roy has been going through the world until he finds the desired taste—continuing his eating activities with such a mindset, devouring and being disappointed, devouring and being disheartened, devouring and being let down, endlessly dominated by an insatiable hunger that cannot be filled even by 『eclipsing』.

A change was born in such eating activities until now. The cause of that change—

"Come on, try it. Whether you can devour me or live or die. Hey, you."

It was greatly influenced by being driven mad by the overwhelming soul that tried to burst the vessel known as Roy Alphard inside that towering tower in the sand sea.

――Reid Astrea.

The experience of touching the soul of the first man called the 『Sword Saint』 brought significant change to Roy. Bearing the name of 『Voracity』 and dedicating himself to the pursuit of consumption everywhere, Roy was troubled. He worried that the hunger within his existence might never be satisfied.

"It's not like you're special or anything, you know? Everyone, including me and all the others, is seeking an unfillable love. I'll help you find that nameless thing you desire. In return, you know what I want, right?"

With a seductive and sadistic smile, the monster declared it would become Roy's mother. Without truly trusting or depending on that existence, Roy sought possibilities he couldn't find on his own and used the mother. Perhaps it was mutual.

However, no matter how much he consumed or took hands stained with love, he couldn't obtain what he wanted. Rai sought ways to fill his hunger by finding value in each meal, and Rui seemed to have a specific vision of what she wanted to fill her hunger. Only Roy didn't have that. But finally, he found it.

"There's nothing strange about it, you know. It's about eating or being eaten, that's what living is about, right?"

Ah, indeed. That's exactly right. What he wanted was the feeling of being alive. A reason to genuinely laugh and say he was living.

"It's only natural to pour everything I have for what I want, isn't it?"

Ah, indeed. That's exactly right. Even without love or respect, that teaching from his mother was undeniably correct. Therefore—

"If you don't pour everything you've got, without hesitation, into what you can do, it can't be called love!"

Since the opponent was exceeding their limits, he must respond in kind. If he couldn't finish the feast prepared for him, the name of 『Gluttony』 would weep.

"Come on, come on, come on, taste it and savor it!"

In exchange for his limbs growing cold from blood loss, his heart's voltage reached its peak. Transforming the spilled blood into thorny legs resembling insect legs, Roy's movements were echoed by a black snake behind him, forming a pillar of filth that pierced the sky, resuming its one-sided hunt.

The wind roared, and the virus fell mercilessly into the forest. What emerged was a terribly blasphemous and seemingly unstoppable wave of poison. It literally swallowed the battlefield in black, pressing to sicken and kill everything. But—

"Be strong—!"
"—Live!!"

The simple-minded command and response became the vanguard of a united counterattack. Ram's tearing wind split the black wave, and the beast horde led by the Hungry Horse King following Meili opened a breach. The burly men following, including newly summoned ones, united as one—their iron hammers fiercely shattered the earth, forming a barrier against the evil poison. It was a battle where the collective strength of individually unimpressive forces combined to repel the advancing death with the effort of a patchwork life.

"From what I see, Petra-chan's authority shortens events, doesn't it?"

"Not telling."

"Such a cold reply excites me!"

Without halting his offensive, Roy, clad in a blood-red armor, charged forward as the black serpent's corruption poured down like rain. He continuously switched between the extraordinary abilities, techniques, and deviations of different otherworldly beings, layering punches, magic, and cursed songs upon his prey.

However, each time, they swiftly reorganized their formation, blending physical and magical attacks to counter him—who defended where was no longer discernible. The only fact that remained was that they all absorbed the assault together and pushed back collectively, rewriting the battlefield.

—Even amidst the battle, Roy's eyes moved restlessly, inspecting his prey.

Roughly speaking, the authority of the 『Witch of Melancholy』 is undoubtedly 『Shortening』. It compresses the time and distance of movement and likely manages the time for thought and decision-making as well. As evidence, the apostles of 『Melancholy』, who repeatedly appear and vanish on the battlefield, adapt to sudden situations without confusion—even the newcomers. No, they shorten their bewilderment, enabling them to immediately engage with the situation at hand.

"But how much longer can that last, huh!"

While their adaptability and high morale are admirable, both sides are nearing their limits. However, if Roy has a slight advantage, it's the looming threat of the black serpent in the rear—the 『Witch of Melancholy』 must deal with this formidable beast even if they manage to defeat Roy. In other words, they cannot afford to exhaust themselves against Roy. Adding a pinch of their predicament, where they must not expend all their strength—

"—This is the decisive 『Eclipse』 point, isn't it!!"

The massive form of the black serpent once again pierced the sky, preparing to unleash a deluge of corruption. As the 『Witch of Melancholy』 braced themselves, Roy released his 『Memory』. It was—

"—『Eclipse Binary Stars』"

Not a 『Solar Eclipse』 nor a 『Lunar Eclipse』, but a new original table manner by Roy Alphard.

△▼△▼△▼△

—God, Buddha, Od Lagna. I vow never to wish upon a star in my life.

△▼△▼△▼△

In that instant, what surged across the battlefield were fragments of the countless 『Memories』 that Roy Alphard had consumed but found no value in remembering.

After his experiences at the Pleiades Watchtower, 『Voracity』 revised his awareness of his culinary pursuits. Gratitude for all ingredients, respect for all encounters—there are no bad ingredients in this world. It was merely his own foolish palate that couldn't appreciate their flavors.

For instance, there are fish with poison. However, if one properly processes the entrails containing the poison, one can savor a taste far surpassing the risk of consuming the poison. The same applies to the prey of 『Gluttony』. There is no ingredient in this world that is entirely useless or not worth tasting from head to tail.

Every ingredient has parts that can be utilized—so he used them.

"—『Memory of Pain』"

Anyone who has lived a normal life likely holds one or two memories of unbearable pain. Roy extracted and blended countless 『Memories of Pain』 from his 『Soul's Stomach』 and unleashed them upon the battlefield before him. It was not something visible to the eye. Therefore, there was no way to evade it. It was a blasphemous act of imposing a concept onto the opponent.

Most importantly, even if the 'Memory of Pain' is thrust upon someone, it doesn't directly affect the target. Since it is literally a 'memory' they have no recollection of, there is no room for the prey to experience that pain when it is inflicted.

So, what happens? ――It merely triggers a chain reaction of recalling similar 'memories'.

"――Ah"

At first, a faint voice leaked out from within the group. Until then, they had been raising brave voices, their expressions filled with courage and determination, embodying the spirit to confront any obstacle head-on, truly befitting the term warriors. From their lips, rather than a war cry or each other's names, a high-pitched sound escaped.

"Ah, ah, ah, ahhh――!!"

And once it started leaking, it knew no bounds. Eyes wide open, mouths agape, even if they didn't want to, they placed their hands on the part that became the source of the scream, letting out a blood-curdling scream. Moreover, it wasn't just one person. Everyone present began to scream.

"「――――!!」"

The 'Memory of Pain' that Roy unleashed collectively reminded those within the conceptual range of similar pain they had experienced, as if it were happening at this very moment. If it was pain once endured in the past, it should be bearable. ――The answer is no. Pain that was unbearable in the past is still unbearable in the present or the future.

"Ga――"

Voiceless cries were raised by Felt, Ram, Old Man Rom, Meili, Flam, Grassis, Gaston, Lachins, Doltero, and the apostles summoned to the battlefield by the power of the Authority of 'Melancholy'. None could withstand it. Particularly, the one who screamed the loudest was――,

『――Petra!!』

Jerking her jaw as if in convulsion, it was none other than Petra Leyte who was made to experience the numerous pains that had brought Natsuki Subaru to 'death'.

△▼△▼△▼△

――God, Buddha, Od Lagna. I vow never to arrange a meeting with anyone for the rest of my life.

△▼△▼△▼△

『――Petra!!』

Hearing the desperate cry of Imaginary Subaru, Petra realized that he, being a mere illusion she was seeing, was spared from experiencing this pain, and she felt relieved――or rather, she couldn't. There was no room for such relief for Petra Leyte, who was tasting the pain of 'death'.

"――Ah"

A raspy breath escaped. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts, it hurts, it hurts. It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts――.

"――I"

The slashed stomach hurts. The crushed eye hurts. The pierced chest hurts. The stabbed back hurts. The finger cut by clumsy knife handling hurts. The chapped skin from water work hurts. The head suddenly smashed hurts. The body tortured with the sound of chains hurts. The throat gouged by the wind hurts. The sharp rock collided with after jumping off hurts. The entire body beaten up, both body and mind hurt. The hands and feet hurt from training where I pretended to be fine and was held back. The frozen and torn fingers and ankles hurt. The licked eyeball feels disgusting and hurts. The wrists hurt from freezing and breaking the handcuffs. Kneeling on the cold ground, everything creaks and hurts. The body hurts from being pushed down by a confused Otto. After that, being chased by the White Whale and fleeing in panic is pathetic and hurts. Being frozen and in the extreme cold, the soul hurts. The life force being forced to run wild to decide on mercy killing hurts. The chest hurts from being pierced for mercy killing. The heart hurts from the confession of 『Return by Death』. Being caught by the persistent authority of 『Sin Archbishop of Sloth』 hurts. The fear of losing Rem makes me stab my own throat and it hurts. The stomach hurts from the first seppuku in months. The whole body is hit by rubble, arms are cut, and finally the whole body is devoured and it hurts. Being tormented by beasts, and again the whole body is bitten and torn and it hurts. Finally, stabbing my own throat again, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts.

"――Ugh"

『Petra! Petra! No, don't go, Petra!!』

The pain dominates my mind. Even though my insides, my mind, my heart were supposed to be filled with ■■■, everything is painted over by pain. From the top of my head to the tips of my toes, there is no place in my body that doesn't feel pain. Everywhere, everything that forms me becomes pain, and I exist to taste pain, made of pain, as pain aches, and aching is pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain――.

"――Ehh"

My vision is dyed bright red, my own voice is so loud it feels like tinnitus, the smell of blood stings the back of my nose, my mouth fills with saliva tasting of death, and my skin bristles with unbearable shock. Once again, the suffering of ■■■・■■■, which could never truly be understood by just reading the 『Book of the Dead』, clearly seeps into ■■■・■■■. Through that pain, ■■■・■■■ truly and literally feels ■■■・■■■. Pain completely covers both the outside and inside of ■■■・■■■, and I feel it intensely.

"――Oh"

All the pain experienced is connected to the memories of regret filled with the intense sense of loss of ■■■・■■■, Na■■・■ba■, Na■ki・Suba■――Natsuki Subaru.

"――――"

It hurt. Emilia died. It hurt. Felt died. It hurt. Old Man Rom died. It hurt. Rem died. It hurt. Everyone in Arlam Village died. It hurt. Ram died. It hurt. Frederica died. It hurt. Petra died. It hurt. Beatrice died. It hurt. Otto died. It hurt. Roswaal died. It hurt. Ryuzu died. It hurt. Garfiel died. It hurt. It hurt. It hurt. ――It was frustrating.

"Frustrating"

It hurts. It hurts, it hurts. It hurts, it hurts, it hurts. It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts. ――So what.

"I don't want to lose"

Even if it hurts, even if it's painful, the sadness and frustration are much more unbearable. I love everyone so much, I can't give up on them. I love you, who can't give up on everyone you love so much, and I can't give up on you. So――,

"――Who do you think I am?"

■■■・■■■ is, ■■ラ・■イ■ is, ペ■ラ・■イテ is――Petra Leyte is quick to learn, talented, full of potential, and has a promising future; her future is bright. Those people, they believe in Petra. ――Then, let's do it.

"I can do it."

You should be able to, Petra Leyte. To not make everyone who said I could do it a liar. Or are they all liars who believed in a weak, miserable Petra who can do nothing?

"That can't be true."

I can do it. I should be able to. If I say I can, then it's not just words; I will do it. Do it. You must do it. You can do it. Do it now. Do it immediately. Now! Come on, do it, do it――do it!!

"Compress... no."

With the power of the authority of 『Witch of Melancholy』, I will 『Compress』. Just like compressing distance, travel time, thought time, and consultation time, now, I will 『Compress』 the dreadful moment that is befalling Petra and the others.

Pain, how terrifying it is. Even a trivial pain can bring tears to your eyes, a sharp pain can keep you up at night, and a dull pain might affect the rest of your life. Whether trivial, sharp, or dull, the time spent experiencing pain feels long.

Compress the time that makes a second feel like ten seconds, an hour feel like half a day, a day feel like eternity.

"Everyone, grit your teeth."
『It'll only last a second, but it'll be a hundred times more painful――!!』

I didn't say it might be ten thousand times more. Whether said or unsaid, whether prepared or not, what needs to be done doesn't change.

"――『Compress Agony』"

The power of the 『Witch of Melancholy』, having reached a new stage, is unleashed.

△▼△▼△▼△

――God, Buddha, Od Lagna. I vow never to regret parting with people in my lifetime.

△▼△▼△▼△

"――――"

The newly unveiled technique unmistakably exploded, cracking the perfect coordination of the prey. Hearing the wind's howl as the body of the black snake, filled with poisonous filth, collapses, a cacophony of colorful screams, shrieks, and cries of pandemonium reaches from beyond. All of it sounds painful, agonizing, and if he had the time, Roy would have cried all night for them, then penned his feelings into a poem and sent it down the river.

But there is no time for that. He lacks the education to compose a proper poem, so it wouldn't turn out well. But he truly felt sorry for them. He bore no grudge against them. There was no hatred. Not even a mix of love and hate, just simple love. Who would want to see beloved ones suffering and crying out in pain? Such things are only spices in the enjoyment of their lives. Spices are not the main dish. Making them the main dish is the act of a madman.

"We wouldn't do something so cruel."

The actions of the prey were severed by the chain reaction of the 『Eclipse Binary Stars』 that triggered the 『Memory of Pain』. What followed was the pollution of the black serpent raining down—this neck is the responsibility of 『Old Suffering』, so it won't take their lives. It seals their thoughts and actions, endlessly holding them at the brink of death. Once that happens, it's just like a wine cellar. Waiting for the time of maturation until the moment to reveal the true name arrives.

The water's edge, where they are held, has no escape, and it is said that suffering and darkness continue endlessly. But ultimately, the pain they experienced will be entirely absorbed by Roy and lost, so it should be fine. Tasting such bitterness, savoring it completely, and enjoying it is still part of the culinary life.

"Ah, even though I can't eat it right away, seeing ripe fruit is—"

Roy's words were interrupted as he was about to say it's painful. It wasn't because of a counterattack. Quite the opposite. The prey let out a particularly strong, loud scream that pierced the chest with anguish. The volume was such that it could be mistaken for a death throes.

For a moment, Roy widened his eyes, but that only confirmed the success of his strategy—

"—Ugh! Strong!!"
"“Hang in thereeeee—!!”"

Immediately after, an impossible reaction and unity denied the end that was supposed to engulf the prey.

△▼△▼△▼△

—God, Buddha, Od Lagna. I vow never to walk with someone at sunset for the rest of my life.

△▼△▼△▼△

In an instant, Felt experienced a hellish pain as if her entire skin was peeled off and Reinhard polished her with a metal brush soaked in saltwater.

"Ow"

It was the first time she felt a sensation as if her insides had flipped due to the pain. A corner of her mind was numb, and she even had the illusion that her blood was flowing backward inside her body. She didn't know what happened. —No, she knew. Petra did something.

"Quite the little one..."

Felt quietly praised the struggle of the girl not much different in height from herself. She understood that in the intense discussions so far, Petra had coordinated the mixed army with Old Man Rom with outstanding teamwork. It's an amazing story. After all, Old Man Rom is the smartest and most reliable in the world, so Petra must be a genius. That genius did something beyond imagination and crushed something of the opponent.

"Still, you have unbelievably bad luck."

Felt, with a twisted cheek, looked at the small shadow at the edge of her vision—Kanbari. Unlike Gaston, who had been involved in the fight from the beginning, and Lachins, who joined midway, Kanbari participated at a critical moment. —At that moment, the incredibly painful thing was unleashed, so it's beyond just bad luck. However—

"—You may have no luck, but it's the best."

Felt snatched it from Kanbari, whose tears were streaming from the corner of his eyes. —The 『Star Staff』, which could become the trump card of the camp.

She unleashed it. Felt gathered all her strength, pouring everything into it. Then—

"Where to strike!"

△▼△▼△▼△

—God, Buddha, Od Lagna. I vow never to step on the shadow of the person walking beside me for the rest of my life.

△▼△▼△▼△

"—Ugh! Strong!!"
"“Hang in thereeeee—!!”"

A scream and roar, indistinguishable from a beast's howl, echoed as the snake-like body of the black serpent, a harbinger of a thousand calamities, was pushed back by an explosion from below. The battlefield was a frenzy of light and darkness, and the shock that seemed to tear the sky scorched Roy's entire body with astonishment.

What happened? How did it happen? ――All of it, left unquestioned.

"Petra-chan!"

Who did it was the only certainty, and Roy Alphard was ecstatic. It was incredible. A standing ovation was due. Together with the numerous 'memories' within Roy, he had to send a thunderous applause to her.

Just how much must one sacrifice oneself to allow the 『Witch of Melancholy』 factor to do that? Imagining and speculating, unless one relinquishes all ordinary happiness, this battlefield, this close contest, such audacity, could not be realized.

――I want to be happy.

That should be the absolute, indestructible, immovable, and indivisible wish of a human being. It should be an absolute prayer that even Roy, no, even Lai, even Louis, even the Sin Archbishops, even villains, even criminals, do not change. For that, they live. But, without letting go of it, this situation is...

"――――"

With eyes moist with joy, Roy dried them with a single blink and looked at Felt, who was taking a white staff from a comrade. At this critical moment, the small person who seemed almost useless in battle had brought it along, so it must be a special secret weapon. In other words――,

"If that doesn't work, I might just cry!"

Rainbow-colored butterflies danced, spears of fire and ice rained down, a scythe of blood was unleashed from all directions, and instead of left and right, a crushing pressure from front and back began, as a boyish soprano sang a cursed song.

"Protect Felt!!"

The wind cut down all the butterflies, magic bullets of ice and fire shattered the spears of fire and ice, thick muscles intercepted the scythe of blood while being cut, a momentary twin strike pierced the earth rushing from front and back, and the giant bodies of an old man and a pigman completely defended against the curse song that would destroy flesh and blood.

"Magnificent! But――"

The wave attack was blocked by an ironclad coordination, yet Roy did not falter. Up to this point, he had refrained from using 'Transfer', but now it was activated, and in the blink of an eye, Roy appeared in the midst of Felt's group, targeting Felt――or rather,

"These two are crucial too, right?"

Among those who stood to intercept, he aimed at the backs of two girls who had no strength left to stand. The 『Witch of Melancholy』 and the 『Beast User』, both indispensable forces to balance the battle against 『Gluttony』 and the black serpent, no one could reach Roy who stood behind them. Roy, licking his lips, summoned 'Fist King' in his right hand and 'Snow Eater' in his left, gently――,

――In that instant, Meili's hair stirred, and a white light shot through Roy's left eye.

"Gyaah!?"

Pierced by the sensation of being burned by heat, Roy's left vision was lost. In his remaining eye, Roy saw the clever hand that destroyed his left eye――a small scorpion hidden in Meili's hair. An unknown existence. A trump card, a hidden card, a viva total war not found in 'memories'.

"Even such a small ally――"

He tried to continue, thinking how bravely it was exerting its strength, but couldn't. More quickly, the ground he was standing on betrayed Roy, launching him into the sky without warning.

"――――"

It wasn't magic. He didn't feel the wavelength of mana. Then, was it again the 『Witch of Melancholy』? ――No, even she doesn't have eyes on her back. It was the upheaval of the earth. Without warning, without coordination, it bounced.

"――Damn, my comrades are too reliable."

The sudden voice that was heard was sharp and had too many connections to 'memories'. It was a voice that should not have been heard, precisely because it was so reliable, becoming an impregnable fortress as long as its feet were on the ground.

Roy, who had whirled up into the air, saw the ground upside down in his vision, and urged the writhing magical beasts below to rampage. Unlike before, there was now a distance between Roy and the beasts. The blood armor was peeling away, but if the filth was scattered like rain, the beasts would have to deal with that instead.

"Sit down!!"

A cry that sounded like weeping momentarily disrupted the movement of the black snake. However, it only stopped for less than the blink of an eye. Even if that time was taken away, Roy's intentions would not be thwarted—at that moment, the snake-like body of the magical beast that was reaching for the sky exploded. The filth burst forth, and a shadow tumbled onto the soiled ground.

"Ugh, cough, gah..."

"No way."

Roy was struck speechless by the shock that could not be explained by stubbornness or tenacity, as a red-haired man, coughing and falling into the most dreadful pool of filth in the world, appeared. Why was he alive? The question and the rising appetite made Roy's stomach growl involuntarily.

"Hey, look over here."

A blond boy caught up to Roy in midair with a light leap, clenching his sharp teeth and dramatically raising a fist clad in silver gauntlets. If that were to strike, Roy, in his half-dead state, would not stand a chance. Even knowing it was just a brief stalling tactic, Roy chose to retreat and attempted to invoke the 'Lunar Eclipse' to once again benefit from the 'Jumper's' ability.

"Bu—"

His concentration was disrupted by the collision with a Zodda insect that flew in from his left blind spot.

"――――"

Drawn by the annoying buzzing and unpleasant sensation, his gaze was pulled to the distance, where a light blue ground dragon leaned against the trees several dozen meters away, and the figure of a man who should have been empty was leaning against it. The man pointed a finger in this direction, and when he noticed their eyes meet, he smiled, as if to say, "Got you."

Immediately after, the wind howled, and a fist wrapped in wind pressure was launched straight at Roy. It seemed to take an unusually long time to reach him, as if there was plenty of time—he realized.

"Is Petra-chan doing this?"

"Yes. I thought I'd say it properly at the end. Serves you right."

The 'Witch of Melancholy' standing on the ground declared victory over Roy within the stretched-out time. In response, it seemed there was nothing Roy could do anymore. The angry tiger's punch was closing in, just five coins' worth of distance remaining. Before the direct hit, what could be done? He thought and had an idea.

"That's amazing, Petra-chan. But don't you think the sacrifices made to win were too great?"

"Sour grapes? No one on our side has been taken down. It's pathetic for a Sin Archbishop."

"Against the 'Witch of Melancholy', there's no standing a chance. But sacrifices aren't just about lives. It's about the future, hope, possibilities, things like that. We're genuinely worried that Petra-chan's long, long life ahead will become lonely."

Four coins remaining. At least, dig up the hidden cost and engrave himself into her with that pain. In response to Roy's malicious attempt, Petra blinked and looked puzzled. Surely, she couldn't have been paying a cost unknowingly, yet her reaction was—

"――Are you perhaps misunderstanding?"

"Misunderstanding?"

"That's strange. I thought Otto-san would have said something like that. Like, 'This time the enemy is the whole world.'"

"――――"

Coins, three remaining.

It wasn't stated directly. However, that determination was present in the 'memory'. Considering Aldebaran's actions and the damage caused, it could be said that this was a fair recognition. However, it should be nothing more or less than that.

"No way..."

"Exactly that."

Coins, two remaining.

In the stretched-out sensation, taking a breath was a luxury they couldn't afford, but Roy held his breath in his heart and watched her, smiling softly and witch-like. The girl, who shouldn't be compatible with the witch factor, was undoubtedly the 『Witch of Melancholy』. Because—

"The 『Melancholy』 witch factor can be used by anyone if they pay the price, and as long as the price is balanced, anyone can act on behalf of it. —That's why everyone in the royal capital is paying."

"――――"

"Then, I'll say it again. —Serves you right!"

Coins, one remaining.

After all, Roy didn't know of any existence that had misused the 『Melancholy』 witch factor to this extent. If this isn't the 『Witch of Melancholy』, then what is it?

"—Ah, thank you for the meal!"

Remaining, zero coins. —The strike of the 『Gorgeous Tiger』 exploded.

"――――"

It mercilessly smashed into Roy's face, knocking him down to the ground where the black snake writhed. His small frame plunged straight into the filth—just before.

"—Break it!!"

In Felt's hand, the staff shone brilliantly, emitting a white light that painted over the world. It became an inescapable blow of judgment, engulfing those who were the perpetrators of evil.

—That was the closing act of the 『Voracity』's feast.